PORTLAND, Ore-Standing outside of a local hospital, it is common to see florist vans arriving with the latest bunch of get well flowers and balloons. However, hospitals are beginning to pop those well wishes by banning latex balloons from their healthcare centers.
Providence Health System of Portland has banned latex balloons because there are both patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) allergic to the material. Allergic reactions can include skin rashes and asthma. Some severe reactions can be lethal.
There are three hospitals in the Portland area following the ban. They are also phasing gout latex gloves.
Information from www.arizonarepublic.com
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
A Controversial Reboot: New Vaccine Panel Faces Scrutiny, Support, and Sharp Divides
June 26th 2025As the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met for the first time under sweeping changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the national spotlight turned to the panel’s legitimacy, vaccine guidance, and whether science or ideology would steer public health policy in a polarized era.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.